I just got back from a 20 mile or so city excursion after installing a 16 tooth output shaft sprocket from an 08 ZX6R Ninja (not 650 Ninja). Easy install, provided you have an impact wrench and a 27 mm or 1 1/16" 6 point socket. I like the way the bike feels now. Much better, you can make it all the way across an intersection before hitting second gear. Some of the initial snap is gone but the bike feels more mature somehow but still gains speed quickly. The collar on the gear which mates to the spline is a hair thicker than stock which moves the chain about a 1/16" to the left but I don't see any problems developing. The square section of the bolt used for the speed sensor is also moved left and just about clears the sensor mount. All and all, this I feel is the way the bikes should ship from the factory (as many others have said). I bought mine from Bike Bandit. Part number 13144-0038 About 46 bucks shipped.
Short money for a big improvement. :thumb: :thumb:

17 or 16?

Oops!:( Bear, you caught me before I had a chance to edit my post. I meant 16 not 17. All other info is correct however. A 17 would never fit in there nor would you want it to.

I was worried you were about to start another trend!!

LOL! Yeah, you scared me too, blipco. Too bad we can't edit the thread title, like change vaccum to vacuum...
Good observations about # 13144-0038's thicker collar. I haven't seen one yet, but you're the first to notice it.

I,d like to give a heads up to Trialsguy for turning me on to the part.:thumb:

LOL! Yeah, you scared me too, blipco. Too bad we can't edit the thread title, like change vaccum to vacuum...
Good observations about # 13144-0038's thicker collar. I haven't seen one yet, but you're the first to notice it.

Done.


And I believe you CAN edit the title of your own thread or post. Click the 'edit' button at the bottom of your post. It'll open a dialogue box. On the bottom of that box is a 'go advanced' button. Click that button & it'll take you to a more advanced dialogue box with the ability to edit the title.

I still can't edit my thread title for some reason... It doesn't give me that option.
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=661

I still can't edit my thread title for some reason... It doesn't give me that option.
http://www.kawasakiversys.com/forums/showthread.php?t=661


Hmmm. That's weird. I edited it for you, though. Seems odd doesn't it??

Thanks Bear for the title edit. Now... anyone interested in the sprocket ? :D

Thanks Bear for the title edit. Now... anyone interested in the sprocket ? :D

In reference to the collar, is this the rubber dampening ring that the OEM sprockets have? And a second question, when people in the past had switched to a 16T, did they use the one off a 650R (which I thought would be a 15T like the V) as opposed to the ZX6R? Thanks.

This is still the same Kawasaki part # 13144-0038 as listed for a ZX6, as installed by others before. Its rubber damper is like on the original 15T. It's apparently just the 16T's inner collar that is about 1/16" thicker, causing a slight chain misalignment.

Hmmm. That's weird. I edited it for you, though. Seems odd doesn't it??

Thanks, Bear. :clap:
Its is odd, but it's always been that way in this otherwise great forum.

I,d like to give a heads up to Trialsguy for turning me on to the part.:thumb:

You are welcome Blipco. :thumb:

I was just passing on the info that I received on this forum from a couple of months ago, I think from Gustavo, and others.

I'm still liking my 16T so far. I agree that it rides in a more "mature" manner.

The engine no longer has that frantic character when out on the open road at higher speeds. I also get places quicker. :eek:

This is still the same Kawasaki part # 13144-0038 as listed for a ZX6, as installed by others before. Its rubber damper is like on the original 15T. It's apparently just the 16T's inner collar that is about 1/16" thicker, causing a slight chain misalignment.

It is not the rubber damper. The part of the gear that mates with the spline is just a tiny bit meatier than what is on the Versys stock unit. When replacing the bend washer ( which also goes on the spline ) you will find that it just fits. The gear is from an 08 ZX6R not the 650 Ninja ( the 650 Ninja also has a 15 tooth sprocket ). I don't foresee any trouble developing at all. Just thought I'd point it out. The chain still looks properly centered on the rear sprocket after a ride. If you're thinking of doing this I would highly recommend it. Easy if you have an impact wrench. Not so easy without. I had a four foot pipe on a breaker bar with my buddy stepping on the rear brake and a 1x4 in the rear spokes and all that broke was the board ! With the electric impact and 6 point socket, gearbox in neutral, no problem. Came right off. Darn it, did it again, meant to quote Hikewithmike, but you know what I mean.

Does this mod make the speedometer read incorrectly? If the speed sensor is the in the drive sprocket, and it is turning fewer revolutions per rear wheel revs, won't your speedometer read slower than you're actually going?

Where these speedos are about 10% optimistic I hear this mod makes them more accurate. I haven't been through a roadside "your speed is" sign yet to test it.

Where these speedos are about 10% optimistic I hear this mod makes them more accurate. I haven't been through a roadside "your speed is" sign yet to test it.

I highly sepeculate the accuracy of those signs.

So I think I will just wait till 20K miles (unless my Chain says earlier) to swap this all out. 16T in the front, new rear sprocket, and a new chain and I should be good as goo!

the stock speedo is around 6..8% under
the ODO is bang on

changing to the 16t front sprocket changes the underreading to about spot on.. its still under but marginally so based on a comparison with a GPS speed on a long flat straight near sea level
the ODO now under reads by about 5..6%

Does this mod make the speedometer read incorrectly? If the speed sensor is the in the drive sprocket, and it is turning fewer revolutions per rear wheel revs, won't your speedometer read slower than you're actually going?

When stock, compared to my GPS (on a level road), the speedometer read 66 or 67 mph when I was actually doing 60 mph (about 10% optimisic). After installing the 16T, the speedometer hunts between 60 and 61 mph, when I am actually doing 60 mph. So in other words, the 16T makes the speedometer read correctly.